LeLacheur named Eskimos CEO

The Edmonton Eskimos president Rick LeLacheur will add the role of CEO to his job title, the team announced Saturday.

CBC Sports · October 29, 2006

Edmonton Eskimos president Rick LeLacheur will add the role of CEO to his job title, the team announced Saturday.

A day after finishing a disappointing 7-11 season, the club made the long-expected announcement that LeLacheur would replace Hugh Campbell, who announced his retirement on Wednesday.

The move, which takes effect Jan. 1, completes a transition begun when LeLacheur was brought in as chief operating officer in 2003.

"This is the final phase of our three-year transition plan for Rick to take over from Hugh," Bob MacLean, chairman of the team's board of directors, said in a statement.

"Rick has an excellent track record as the club's chief operating officer and we know he will be a great leader for the Eskimo organization.

LeLacheur has previously held the titles of president and CEO for both the 2001 World Championships in Athletics — held at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton — and Economic Development Edmonton from 1992 to 1998.

His challenge will be to find a way to get the Eskimos back to the playoffs after missing the postseason for the first time in 35 years.